Victoria Grizzlies standout taken in the 1st round, 16th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) has been named the second annual recipient of the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s John Grisdale Top Prospect Award after being the first CJHL player taken in the 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver when he was selected in the first round, 16th overall, Friday by the Colorado Avalanche.
The John Grisdale Top Prospects Award is presented annually to the highest selected CJHL player chosen in each year’s NHL Draft and is in named after the former BCHL commissioner and CJHL Life Member.
The inaugural recipient of this honour was Jacob Bernard-Docker who was selected in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas when he was chosen 26th overall by the Ottawa Senators.
Bernard-Docker starred on defence in the CJHL with the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) and recently completed his freshman season at the University of North Dakota.
As for Newhook, he was earlier named the CJHL’s Most Valuable Player and Top Forward for the 2018-19 campaign in voting completed by each of its 10 member leagues across the country and pockets of the northern U.S.
The 18-year-old from St. John’s, N.L., had a tremendous year with Victoria, leading the BCHL in scoring by notching 38 goals and doling out a league-best 64 assists as his 102 total points placed him 18 higher than his closest rival. Newhook also boasted two separate point streaks of 10 games or more in 2018-19, including amassing 28 points overall in the final 10 contests of the campaign on 13 tallies and 15 assists.
He also won bronze as an assistant captain with Canada West at the 2018 World Junior A Challenge and participated in the 2019 CJHL Prospects Game in Okotoks, Alta., in January where he had an assist in aiding Team West’s 5-2 triumph over Team East.
Newhook is currently committed to attend Boston College on NCAA Division I scholarship in the fall.
JOHN GRISDALE AWARD RECIPIENTS (Highest CJHL player selected in NHL Draft)
2019: Alex Newhook, (F) Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) – 1st round, 16th overall (Colorado Avalanche)
2018: Jacob Bernard-Docker, (D) Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) – 1st round, 26th overall (Ottawa Senators)